Saskafocus: Brayden Coburn

We at the Prairie Puck would like to apologize for the lack of posts lately. We tried to tell our professors and bosses that it's important to write about Saskatchewan hockey players, that our readers survive by our words of wisdom and wit. They refused to cut us a break, and were rather unapologetic about it. We couldn't be more sorry about this. If you have visited out site enough to notice we haven't been posting much lately, then know that we love you. We friggin LOVE you. Now back to the show.

Today's Saskafocus is Brayden Coburn, aspiring defenceman of the Philadelphia Flyers. I checked on Wikipedia to be sure, and that site said he was born in Calgary. Perhaps that is the truth, but I happen to know he grew up in Shaunavon, SK (I remember playing against him in novice hockey. He played 58 minutes per game and would dominate us every one of them).

He played his junior hockey with the Portland Winter Hawks of the WHL, winning the Rookie of the Year award in his first season. After an excellent junior career, with two first-team all-star seasons and two trips to the World Junior tournament, he was drafted 8th overall by the Atlanta Thrashers. After working back and forth between the Thrashers and the AHL Wolves, Brayden was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers, where he has developed into a solid two-way defenceman.

Although we left him off our list of choices for the Olympics in 2010, we would be completely happy if he proved us wrong. The way he is developing, he has an excellent chance to represent Canada in years after. We wish Brayden all the best, and we'll be keeping an eye out for the pride of Shaunavon, Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewfocus: Brendan Morrow

My crystal ball is shining, about to reveal news from the future. Listen closely...

On March 8th, 2009 @ 5:42pm CT, you will be watching the Dallas Stars play against the Montreal Canadiens. TSN will be broadcasting the game, and during a whistle break they will cut to a segment of Mic'd Up:

Brendan Morrow hits Alex Tanguay into the Canadiens bench and smiles a big Saskatchewan smile at Montreal coach Guy Carbenneau.

Carbenneau (in thicker-than-reality French Canadian accent): eh you 'dere, dat was unneccessary! Play wid some class sir!

Morrow: I had sex with your daughter last night, and I'm going to have sex with her again tonight.

(both laugh)

Carbenneau: ahh, you got me 'dere boy. See you at Thanksgiving.

Morrow: Bye Dad

(both salute, and Morrow proceeds to score seven goals, win two fights, and speak fluently and charismatically afterwards about how Sean Avery's arrival in Dallas, and maturity to cut back his antics and buy into the system have helped the organization a great deal.)

Cut back to present.

Brendan Morrow was born in Carlyle, Saskatchewan on January 16th, 1979. He domintated the SAHA when he played for the Estevan Bruins, scoring 117 goals in 60 games. He was picked up by the Portland Winter Hawks for four seasons, before he was drafted 25th overall by the Dallas Stars.

Brendan Morrow has had solid success in the NHL so far in his career. At the conclusion of the '08/'09 season he had amassed 374 points and 894 penalty minutes in 573 games, with a career plus/minus of +115.

The Moosomin, SK born Dave Tippet (who my dad played hockey with in Prince Albert, just so you know), gave the captaincy to a reluctant Brendan Morrow prior to the beginning of the '07/'08 season. Brendan said he would only accept as long as he had the blessing of longtime Dallas Stars leader Mike Modano. Once the good grace was given, Morrow took the captaincy and began leading. He had an excellent year, accepted the responsibility and the duties that come with the captaincy, and basically became a damn great guy. He's one of the players to watch this year, and we at The Prairie Puck have had our eyes on him for a while. We couldn't be more excited for Brendan Morrow.

If you're looking for a hero, where better to turn than to a strapping young man from Carlyle Saskatchewan who hooked up with his old linemate's daughter (Morrow and Carbenneau were linemates when Dallas won the Stanley Cup in '99), became captain of a solid NHL franchise, and looks good while he does it. We'd love to have a beer with you someday Mr. Morrow, captain, sir.